12^TH ANNUAL MERCHANTS BANK 150 OPENS T-ROAD

For Immediate Release                                        TR 042110-25

        Waterbury, VT Over fifty (50) American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model teams are expected to battle the high banks of Thunder Road for thirty (30) qualifying spots in the $25,000 Merchants Bank 150 opening event on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at the Nations Site of Excitement, Barre, Vermonts Thunder Road.

Thunder Road (TR) presents a unique challenge for teams of the ACT. There are a large number of regular veteran touring teams entered, including, multi-time champions Brian Hoar and Jean Paul Cyr (the defending Thunder Road Champion). Joining them with plenty of experience are Brent Dragon, Scott Payea and Hudson, New Hampshires Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. These teams are joined by the Thunder Road regular weekly competitors, including three time champions Cris Michaud and Phil Scott, and former Thunder Road champion David Pembroke. Regulars Nick Sweet, Rich Lowery, Joe Becker, Matt White, Brooks Clark and Trampas Demers only add to the depth that the weekly racers bring to the Merchants Bank 150.

Defending champion of the Merchants Bank 150, Eric Williams from Hyde Park, Vermont said Its really tough to get the handle on Thunder Road for Tour teams that did not grow up racing there. Once you figure the track out, it can be a lot of fun, and the competition is always fierce, but Thunder Road regulars really have an edge over most of the touring guys, especially in qualifying. Williams was also the 2008 King of the Road at Thunder Road.

Some of the touring teams have found success at Thunder Road over the years. I really didnt like the place the first time I was there, but I took it as a team challenge and decided we were going to figure it out, said veteran racer Glen Luce of Turner, ME. I wish I could tell some of the other Tour teams from Maine how to get around those high banks, and especially turn 4, but it is really something you have to feel to get any success there. I love the atmosphere at TR and just need to find some consistency, concluded Luce.

The Merchants Bank car show will open the weekend in downtown Barre from 9:00am until noon. Over 100 race cars will be on display during this traditional free family show. A pit stop contest will take place at 10:45, and the highlight of the day is when the Pipers and Drummers line up the 100 cars at high noon. The race cars will fire them up and drive through the city and up Quarry Hill to Thunder Road. There is no other parade as unique as the opening Merchants Bank weekend parade for Thunder Road fans and competitors. A full afternoon of practice follows the morning festivities.

Sunday is race day for the 12^th annual Merchants Bank 150 and starts with a Class Day Extravaganza with the presentation of 130 cars to fans beginning at 1:00. Racing starts at 1:30. Gates open at 10:00. Admission is only $18 for both days with a family of four admitted for only $35.

For additional information contact the Thunder Road office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com.

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